In the expat and globally mobile community we are familiar with adjusting to new cultures, new countries and new homes. In our processing, we often look to our families, our roots, our ancestors and our childhoods.
What happens though when that avenue is not available to you? How does it feel to not have the same connection to your roots? Where does that leave you emotionally?
In this episode, I talk to Liz Harvie about being adopted and the impact of loss and grief as a child, through to adulthood and to having her own family. In our conversation Liz also shares the deeper impact of discovering that her parents were actually forced to give her up for adoption.
Liz offers insights into the social attitudes towards adoption, plus the emotional and physical importance of knowing where you come from. She also explains why the UK inquiry into forced adoptions matters so much to so many.
Mentioned in the episode
Forced Adoption: Birth Parents Urged to Give Evidence to Inquiry – BBC News
Follow Liz Harvie
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Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources
UK
Adoption UK – Support & advocacy for those parenting /supporting kids who can’t live with their birth parents
New Family Social – information/support for LGBT+ adoptive & foster families
Samaritans – FREE Help – Tel: 116 123, E: jo@samaritans.org
The British Psychology Society – Find a Psychologist
Australia
Forced Adoption Support (South Australia)
National Apology for Forced Adoptions
SANE Australia – Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am – 10pm)
Mensline – help, support, referrals and counselling for men
Beyond Blue – Mental health support
The Black Dog Institute – Medical health resources, services and research
USA
The Centre for Adoption Support and Education
American Psychologist Association – Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
OMG I just heard you say, “How can we help?” And I am just weeping with gratitude. Thank you sooooooo much for wanting to help.
Hi Kaz,
It really is my pleasure to amplify these stories. Hopefully it helps in some small way. Too many people are still suffering with the impact and outfall of other people’s decisions and behaviours.